Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa), National Park Tortuguero, Costa Rica

The Northern Jacana is a wader which is a resident breeder from coastal Mexico to western Panama, and on Cuba, Jamaica and Hispaniola. The jacanas are a group of wetland birds, which are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone. The bird is also known as the 'Jesus bird', as it appears to walk on water.